'Medicare for All' Doesn’t Rise to Health Care Challenge

Last month, the Detroit Regional Chamber released a poll to highlight the issues on the tops of Michigan voters’ minds. The poll results indicated a consensus on most national issues. However, voters were divided on health care, with varying opinions on the Affordable Care Act and a “Medicare for All” plan. While Michiganders agreed health care costs are too high, most indicated “Medicare for All” is not the magic pill.

As the vice president of government relations at the Chamber, I advocate for the interests of businesses across our region and state. Our members are as diverse as our economy, from accountants and manufacturers to large businesses and small businesses. As I dug deeper and discussed the poll results with members, it became clear that when it comes to health care, businesses and citizens value their choice. The current discussions advocating for a government health care system that would likely reduce access to care, increase wait times, and raise taxes on citizens are a big concern.

As some in Congress and presidential hopefuls advocate taking away choice in health care and providing a one-size-fits-all government run system, they should be mindful of the concerns of Michigan voters and employers. Our members have worked to provide their employees with the coverage that best suits their families’ needs – not the needs of politicians. “Medicare for All,” public option, and expanding Medicare with a buy-in may seem innocuous but it would be significantly disruptive to all our members that are currently well-served with employer-sponsored insurance.

I have heard from our members how detrimental expanding at-risk programs like Medicare with a public option, buy-in, or “Medicare for All” would be to the well-being and long-term success of their businesses, employees, and families. “Medicare for All” is a simplistic solution to a far more complicated problem. Current proposals will result in significantly higher costs for businesses and individuals, a drastic drop in the quality of care, or worse: both. Additionally, it would eliminate private health insurance companies entirely, removing employees and their families from their familiar coverage and benefits.

The current health care system has many problems, but the answer is not scrapping it in favor of a system controlled by politicians. We have made progress in improving the health care marketplace by protecting individuals with pre-existing conditions and allowing children to remain on their parents’ plan while they are starting their careers. Improvements have also come in the form of enacting the Healthy Michigan Plan. We should honor our commitment to Medicare and solve lingering issues by fixing and improving the current infrastructure before expanding it or eliminating private health insurance companies entirely.

Michigan voters made it clear when our poll showed their opposition to “Medicare for All.” Instead of putting the government and elected officials in control of the health care system, let’s continue to work together and build on what’s working.